Magnetic component compiling structure and magnetic refrigerator adapting magnetic component compiling structure thereof

ABSTRACT

A magnetic component compiling structure and a magnetic refrigerator adapts the magnetic component compiling structure thereof. The magnetic component compiling structure has more refrigerating beds and less permanent magnet per volume. Hence, the magnetic refrigerator saves more costs during manufacturing, and achieves higher cooling efficiency.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61,245,455 , filed Sep. 24, 2009.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a magnetic component compiling structure and a magnetic refrigerator adapting the magnetic component compiling structure.

2. Description of the Related Art

Magneto-caloric effect, MCE, is a characteristic of a magnetic material. Hence changing magnetic flux of an outer magnetic field will change entropy of material itself and follow the processes of absorbing or exhausting heat. Therefore, so called magneto-caloric material, MCM, means a material which has remarkable MCE manner. Further, so called magnetic refrigerating technology means adapting MCM to replace traditional refrigerant, such as CFC, HCFC, HFC, etc., to achieve a more environment friendly refrigerator, thus amount of MCM used in a magnetic refrigerator is an important concern while estimating cooling efficiency. However, when the amount of MCM is increasing, the amount of permanent magnets needs is accordingly increasing so as to keep constant MCE.

A traditional rotating magnetic refrigerator, refer to Japanese publication number 2008-51409, US publication number 2006/0218936, usually comprises motor driving a permanent magnet rotating in 360 degrees so as to magnetize or demagnetize MCM contained in refrigerating beds disposed on a periphery wherein the permanent magnet passes by. The drawbacks of above-mentioned rotating magnetic refrigerator are utilization rate of volume is low and utilization rate of material is low, that is if a user thicken the refrigerating bed to increase overall amount of MCM contained, the magnetic field casted by the permanent magnets were weaken relatively.

Therefore, how to contain the most amount of refrigerating beds in a finite space so as to achieve the highest utilization rate of material per unit volume is an important concern. Besides, how to cast less extra magnetic field and which shape is more suitable for the extra magnetic field are also important concerns.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a magnetic component compiling structure containing the most magnetic components per unit volume.

It is an other object of the present invention to provide a magnetic refrigerator containing the most refrigerating beds per unit volume.

To achieve the above or other objects, the present invention discloses a single layer magnetic component compiling structure, comprising a plurality of first magnetic components, a shaft, and a plurality of second magnetic components. The first magnetic components are disposed on peripheries of a plurality of concentric circles with different radius defined by a center on a first plane. The shaft fixed at an end to a center on a second plane, wherein the centers of the first plane and the second plane are disposed in a line with a finite distance. The second magnetic components are disposed to the shaft and driven by the shaft when the shaft rotates, wherein each second magnetic component partly penetrates into the first plane and passes through intervals of the first magnetic components.

Besides, the present invention discloses a multiple layers magnetic component compiling structure, comprising a central axis, a plurality of magnetic component compiling sets. The axis extends along a direction, and each magnetic component compiling set comprises a plurality of first magnetic components, a shaft, and a plurality of second magnetic components. The arrangement of above-mentioned first magnetic components, shaft, and second magnetic components is nearly the same as the arrangement of the single layer magnetic component compiling structure, and it seems no need being further described here.

In addition, the invention also discloses a magnetic refrigerator adopting a magnetic component compiling structure, the magnetic refrigerator comprises a magnetic component compiling structure, a driving mechanism, a controlling mechanism, and a heat exchanging mechanism. The magnetic component compiling is adapted to the multiple layers magnetic component compiling structure as mentioned before. The driving mechanism drives the central axis of the magnetic component compiling structure rotating, the controlling mechanism controls the driving mechanism, and the heat exchanging mechanism connects the first magnetic components and exchanges heat with MCM contained in the first magnetic components to achieving a cooling outcome.

It is necessary to perform some improvements in order to enhance working efficiency of magnetic refrigerator of the present invention. For example, a user in the art may change a shape of the first magnetic component so as to contain as most MCM as possible. For example, a user in the art may change a shape of the second magnetic component so as to generate a larger or more homogeneous magnetic field. For example, a user in the art may change a shape of a permanent magnet structure of the present invention, wherein the permanent magnet structure comprises a smaller surface area, a C-shaped magnetic structure, and an auxiliary soft iron so as to cast the magnetic field more concentrating and homogenizing to a refrigerating bed and enhance cooling efficiency.

As mentioned above, because the magnetic components are compiled along an axis direction, while disposing refrigerating beds on a plurality concentric circles with different radius, a larger amount of refrigerating beds per unit volume and a less amount of permanent magnets needed are both achieved. Meanwhile, the driving mechanism drives the magnetic component compiling sets respectively so as to let a user in the art choosing freely according to necessary, and the overall working efficiency will be enhanced too.

A detailed description is given in the following embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below illustration only, and thus is not limitative of the present invention, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a single layer magnetic component compiling structure according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a magnetic refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram shows a driving mechanism and a controlling mechanism of the magnetic refrigerator according to an embodiment of the invention; and

FIGS. 4 a, 4 b, 4 c and 4D are schematic views of variations of second magnetic components of the according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein the same references relate to the same elements.

In a first embodiment of the present invention, there discloses a single layer magnetic component compiling structure, please refer to FIG. 1, wherein the magnetic component compiling structure 10 comprises at least a plurality of first magnetic components 12, a shaft 13, and a plurality of second magnetic component 14. The first magnetic components 12 are separately disposed with intervals along peripheries of a plurality of concentric circles 11, wherein the concentric circles 11 are defined by a center C1 on a first plane P1 with different radius, and wherein the first magnetic components 12 are adapted to be disposed in different phases.

The shaft 13 is fixed at and end to a center on a second plane P2, wherein the second plane P2 is slightly far away from the first plane P1, that is, the center of the second plane P2 and the center of the first plane P1 are adapted to be disposed, for example, in line vertically with a finite distance. The second magnetic components 14 are adapted to be separately disposed on the shaft 13 with intervals to each other, and thus the second magnetic components 14 are driven by the shaft 13 synchronously when the shaft 13 rotates. Each of the second magnetic components 14 is partly penetrating from the second plane P2 into the first plane P1 and passing through intervals between the first magnetic components 12 nearby.

Hence when the shaft 13 rotates and drives the second magnetic components 14, the second magnetic components 14 and the first magnetic components 12 will not collide with each other and will make a relative motion to each other toward the center C1, i.e., center of the concentric circles 11 of the first plane where the first magnetic components 12 are disposed on. Besides, since the first magnetic components 12 are disposed in different phases, the above-mentioned relative motion is expected to be intermittent, that is, for example, two second magnetic components 14 will not be driven passing through two (or three) first magnetic components 12 disposed on an inner and an outer circles at the same time.

The first magnetic component 12 as mentioned can generate MCE, and the first magnetic components 12 may contain MCM inside thereof. Besides, shape of the first magnetic component 12 is adapted to the peripheral arc of the concentric circles 11, such that the second magnetic components 14 can pass by the first magnetic components 12 more smoothly. Besides, each interval between the first magnetic components 12 is adapted to be disposed an auxiliary soft iron. The second magnetic component 14 as mentioned can generate magnetic flux, and the second magnetic component 14 is, for example, a permanent magnet or electromagnet, as FIG. 4 a shows.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of shafts 13 are adapted to be disposed on the second plane P2, and wherein the shafts 13 are separately disposed with different phases, for example, two shafts 13 with 180 degrees away from each other, or three shafts 13 with 120 degrees away from each other, or four shafts 13 with 90 degrees away from each other, and so on. The above-mentioned multiple shafts arrangement is an easy solution for enhancing frequency of the relative motion as mentioned so as to enhance overall working efficiency or so called cooling efficiency.

In a second embodiment of the present invention, there discloses a multiple layers magnetic component compiling structure, please further refer to FIG. 2, a schematic view of a magnetic refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the magnetic component compiling structure 10 a comprises at least a central axis 15 and a plurality of magnetic component compiling sets 10 b. The central axis 15 extends, for example, along a direction Z, wherein the direction Z can be defined as a vertical or horizontal direction in this specification hereafter in other embodiment.

The magnetic component compiling sets 10 b are adapted to the central axis 15 along the direction Z with different heights, wherein each magnetic component compiling set 10 b comprises a plurality of first magnetic components 12 a, a shaft 13 a, and a plurality of second magnetic components 14 a as mentioned, such that the arrangement of each magnetic component compiling set 10 b is substantially the same as what the single layer magnetic component compiling structure 10 is. For example, please further refer to FIG. 1, the magnetic components 12 a are separately disposed along a plurality of concentric circles 11 with different radius defined by a center on an plane vertical to the direction Z.

Each end of the shafts 13 a is connected to the central axis 15 with different heights according to the magnetic component compiling set 10 b which the end belongs. The shafts 13 a move on a plurality of peripheral routes defined by the ends thereof as mentioned. This embodiment expands a single layer application as mentioned to a multiple layers application, and the detailed arrangement is assumed as the same as the above-mentioned embodiment, thus this specification will not describe too much and people in the art are confirmed that they will also adapt this embodiment easily.

In a third embodiment of the present invention, please refer to FIG. 2, the magnetic component compiling sets are adapted to a magnetic refrigerator, wherein the magnetic refrigerator comprises at least a magnetic component compiling structure 10 a, a driving mechanism 20, a controlling mechanism 30, and a heat exchanging mechanism 40. The magnetic component compiling structure 10 a comprises a central axis 15 and a plurality of magnetic component compiling sets 10 b as mentioned. The driving mechanism 20 drives the central axis 15 and the shafts 13 a so as to make the first magnetic components 12 a and the second magnetic components 14 a moving relatively, while the controlling mechanism 30 controls the driving mechanism 20 to drive the central axis 15 and the shafts 13 a. The heat exchanging mechanism 40 is connected to the first magnetic components 12 a and thus exchanging heat with the first magnetic components 12 a, wherein the first magnetic component 12 a is adapted to generate MCE as mentioned.

Please refer to FIGS. 2 and 3, a block diagram shows a driving mechanism and a controlling mechanism of the magnetic refrigerator according to an embodiment of the invention. The driving mechanism 20 comprises at least a driving unit 21, a plurality of transmission units 23, and a gearshift unit 25. The driving unit 21 is, for example, a motor and is able generating a finite torque. The transmission unit 23 comprises, for example, a set of gear wheels and chains. The transmission units 23 are according to and drive the magnetic component compiling sets 10 b respectively. The gearshift unit 25 is, for example, a gearbox and is able connecting to the transmission unit 23.

The controlling mechanism 30 comprises at least a sensing unit 31, and a controlling unit 33. The sensing unit 31 senses temperature nearby and then generates at least a set of sensing signals 311, while the controlling unit 33 receives the sensing signals 311 and inputs at least a set of controlling signals 331 accordingly, wherein the controlling signals 331 is adapted to be transferred into, for example, the gearshift unit 25 of the driving mechanism 20 and thus controls the driving mechanism 20.

In an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the set of controlling signals 331, for example, commands the gearshift unit 25 to generate different gear shifting effects as demand, wherein shafts disposed on different heights along the extending direction Z of the central axis 15 may be driven separately due to different controlling signals 331. Besides, each shaft 13 a may have its own rotating speed, say zero or a proper angular speed. In the other words, the shafts 13 a of different magnetic component compiling sets 10 b can rotate independently.

The heat exchanging mechanism 40 at least comprises, for example, a heat exchanger, a heat sink, a set of heat dissipating fins, or a set of heat dissipating manifolds. Please refer to FIG. 2, the heat exchanging mechanism 40 of an embodiment of the invention comprises at least a hot heat exchanger 411, a cold heat exchanger 412, a set of heat pipes 42, a pump 43, and a switch 44. The heat pipes 42 are connected to the first magnetic components 12 a, the hot heat exchanger 411, and the cold heat exchanger 412 so as to exchange heat therebetween. The heat pipe 42 is, for example, contains heat conducting fluid, and the heat conducting fluid is pressured by the pump 43 to finish a flowing cycle. The switch 44 is adapted to be disposed within the set of heat pipes 42 so as to control a various of heat exchanging loops for various demands.

Please further refer to FIGS. 4 a, 4 b, 4 c, and 4 d, schematic views of variations of second magnetic components of the according to an embodiment of the present invention. In order to enhance refrigerating efficiency, a larger magnetic flux is needed. Hence, a series of variation on second magnetic component 14 a is brought to practice. For example, a simple embodiment of second magnetic component 14 a is shown as FIG. 4 a. Further, a pair of auxiliary soft irons 141 are attached on the second magnetic component 14 a as FIG. 4 b shows. On the other way, there may be a plurality of smaller permanent magnets 142 are attached on the second magnetic component 14 a as FIG. 4 c shows. Still further, there may be a pair of yokes 143 are attached on the second magnetic component 14 a as FIG. 4 d shows. It is noted that people in the art may figure out their own ways to enhance magnetic flux, and the invention will not limit all possible variations or substitutions.

The present invention discloses a magnetic component compiling structure referred to single layer or multiple layers embodiments. As designed, more first magnetic components and less second magnetic components per area or per volume in the present invention will be obtained. Taking a single layer and a single shaft condition as an example, it can be disposed one refrigerating bed for two permanent magnets, or two refrigerating beds for three permanent magnets, or three refrigerating beds for four permanent magnets, and so on. Hence, comparing to conventional magnetic component compiling structure, when the quantity of first magnetic components in the present invention increasing, the quantity of second magnetic components needed in the present invention is decreasing accordingly.

Besides, when the quantity of first magnetic components in the present invention increasing to a large amount, the ratio between the first magnetic components and the second magnetic components needed is gradually becoming 1:1, and thus the most efficient magnetic component compiling structure is obtained, too. The permanent magnets is in, for example, a rectangular shape, a rectangular shape but shrunk from both sides, or a C-character shape. Besides, the above-mentioned auxiliary soft iron is adapted to the variant shape of permanent magnets as mentioned.

In summary, the present invention discloses a single layer magnetic component compiling structure, a multiple layers magnetic component compiling structure, and a magnetic refrigerator comprising the compiling structure. Ideally, most refrigerating beds and least permanent magnets needed per area or per volume by the magnetic refrigerator of the present invention is obtained, thus the cooling efficiency is enhanced while the cost of MCM is reduced.

Although the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, this description is not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternative embodiments, will be apparent to persons skilled in the art. It is, therefore, contemplated that the appended claims will cover all modifications that fall within the true scope of the invention. 

1. A magnetic component compiling structure, comprising: a plurality of first magnetic components separately disposed on peripheries of a plurality of concentric circles with different radius defined by a center on a first plane; a shaft fixed at an end to a center on a second plane, wherein the centers on the first plane and on the second plane are disposed in line vertically with a finite distance; and a plurality of second magnetic components separately disposed on the shaft and driven by the shaft synchronously when the shaft rotates, wherein each second magnetic component partly penetrates into the first plane and passes through intervals of the first magnetic components.
 2. The magnetic component compiling structure according to claim 1, wherein the first magnetic component is adapted to generate magneto-caloric effect.
 3. The magnetic component compiling structure according to claim 2, wherein the first magnetic component further comprises an auxiliary soft iron.
 4. The magnetic component compiling structure according to claim 1, wherein the second plane is adapted to a plurality of shafts of different phases disposed with a plurality of second magnetic components.
 5. The magnetic component compiling structure according to claim 4, wherein the second magnetic component generates a magnetic flux.
 6. A magnetic component compiling structure, comprising: a central axis extended along a direction; and a plurality of magnetic component compiling sets adapted to the central axis with different heights, wherein each magnetic component compiling set comprises: a plurality of first magnetic components separately disposed on peripheries of a plurality of concentric circles with different radius defined by a center on an plane vertical to the direction; a shaft fixed at ends to the central axis and disposed separately from the plane; and a plurality of second magnetic components adapted to be separately disposed on the shaft and driven by the shaft synchronously when the shaft rotates, wherein each second magnetic component partly penetrates into the plane and passes through intervals of the first magnetic components.
 7. The magnetic component compiling structure according to claim 6, wherein the first magnetic component is adapted to generate magneto-caloric effect.
 8. The magnetic component compiling structure according to claim 7, wherein the first magnetic component further comprises an auxiliary soft iron.
 9. The magnetic component compiling structure according to claim 6, wherein each magnetic component compiling set further comprises a plurality of shafts disposed at the same heights but in different phases, wherein each shaft is disposed with a plurality of second magnetic components.
 10. The magnetic component compiling structure according to claim 9, wherein the second magnetic component generates a magnetic flux.
 11. A magnetic refrigerator, comprising: a magnetic component compiling structure, comprising: a central axis extended along a direction; and a plurality of magnetic component compiling sets adapted to the central axis with different heights, wherein each magnetic component compiling set comprising: a plurality of first magnetic components separately disposed on peripheries of a plurality of concentric circles with different radius defined by a center on an plane vertical to the direction; a shaft fixed at ends to the central axis and disposed separately from the plane; and a plurality of second magnetic components adapted to be separately disposed on the shaft and driven by the shaft synchronously when the shaft rotates, wherein each second magnetic component partly penetrates into the plane and passes through intervals of the first magnetic components; a driving mechanism driving the central axis and the shafts to make the first magnetic components and the second magnetic components moving relatively; a controlling mechanism controlling the driving mechanism; and a heat exchanging mechanism connecting to the first magnetic components and exchanging heat with the first magnetic components, wherein the first magnetic component adapted to generate magneto-caloric effect.
 12. The magnetic refrigerator according to claim 11, wherein the first magnetic component further comprises an auxiliary soft iron.
 13. The magnetic refrigerator according to claim 11, wherein the shafts of different magnetic component compiling sets rotate independently.
 14. The magnetic refrigerator according to claim 13, wherein each magnetic component compiling set further comprises a plurality of shafts disposed at the same heights but in different phases, wherein each shaft is disposed with a plurality of second magnetic components.
 15. The magnetic refrigerator according to claim 13, wherein the driving mechanism comprises: a driving unit generating a torque; a plurality of transmission units driving the magnetic component compiling sets respectively; and a gearshift unit connecting to the driving unit and the transmission units.
 16. The magnetic refrigerator according to claim 15, wherein the driving unit is a motor.
 17. The magnetic refrigerator according to claim 15, wherein the transmission unit comprises a set of gear wheels and chains.
 18. The magnetic refrigerator according to claim 15, wherein the gearshift unit is a gearbox.
 19. The magnetic refrigerator according to claim 15, wherein the controlling mechanism comprises: a sensing unit sensing temperature nearby and generating a set of sensing signals; and a controlling unit receiving the set of sensing signals and inputting a set of controlling signals into the gearshift unit of the driving mechanism.
 20. The magnetic refrigerator according to claim 11, wherein the heat exchanging mechanism comprises a heat exchanger, a heat sink, a heat dissipating fin or a set of heat dissipating manifolds. 